Being the second book in The Berinfell Prophecies, Venom and Song is the continuing adventure of seven teenagers who are thrust into the warring world of Allyra. These young Elf Lords, each possessing a unique gift, must learn to use their gifts individually and as a team if they are to defeat the Spider King.

Though I had not read the first book, I had no trouble settling into Venom and Song. Batson and Hopper are a refreshing option in Christian literature, dealing effectively with the issues of individual and corporate strengths (and weaknesses) in any community, but particularly as paralleled with the Body of Christ. With each character so uniquely gifted, and with such a variance of personalities, every reader may find a “kindred spirit” in one of the Elf Lords.

Surprisingly, and quite unlike much of Christian literature, these characters are in no way immune from injury, personal struggles, feelings of insecurity and fear. I saw myself many times in the pages of this book, and was encouraged by the realization that even an Elf Lord who makes a mistake is still an Elf Lord.

I enjoyed this book so much, in fact, that when family visited recently, I began reading it to my pre-teen nephew before he went to sleep at night. I knew he would love it, but what surprised me was when his 17-year-old brother turned off his computer, put his headphones away, and propped himself up on his pillow to listen as I read. It proved the point to me—that this generation of young people is hungry for good literature, and is willing for that good literature to explore Christian themes.

This young adult book is a great read for any lover of fantasy, and I would recommend it to any friend.

For more information about this book, please visit the Thomas Nelson product page for Venom and Song.

Disclosure: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program.